The next morning, Larry woke with a faint headache. Thinking of Roxanne, he tidied himself and went to her room.

As he opened the door, the door to Roxanne's adjoining room opened almost simultaneously. Lucian emerged. He, too, was worried about Roxanne and had come to check on her. Surprised to see Larry, he slightly furrowed his brow but greeted him politely: "It's been a while, Mr. Morrison."

Larry recognized Lucian but hesitated to speak first. Lucian was a conference organizer who had booked their hotel—an average hotel in Bellridge—and Larry couldn't understand why he'd be staying there. Only when Lucian spoke did Larry confirm his identity. After a pause, Larry smiled and nodded, "Hello."

Lucian nodded back and casually approached Roxanne's door, knocking. Larry stiffened. Did Lucian check into this hotel because of Roxanne? What's going on between them? He hesitated before approaching Lucian. "Mr. Farwell, do you need anything from Roxanne?" he asked casually.

Raising an eyebrow, Lucian replied, "She wasn't feeling well last night, so I brought her back. Naturally, I'm checking on her." His answer confirmed Larry's suspicions. Larry smiled gently. "It's nice of you to be concerned, Mr. Farwell. But I don't think Roxanne wants to see you."

Lucian's eyes darkened, the atmosphere growing tense. Larry, however, remained calm, his smile unchanged as he turned toward Roxanne's door.

Inside, Roxanne had already woken, washed, and brushed her teeth. Hearing the knocks, she assumed it was Larry and opened the door without thinking. Seeing both men, she was startled. "Why are you here?" she asked Lucian. "I recall his hotel is near the restaurant where we ate last night. Why is he here so early?" she thought, adding silently, "What does he want from me now?"

Lucian scrutinized her. Relieved to see she looked better than the previous night, he said, "It's best to follow through. Since I brought you back last night, it's only natural I check on you this morning."

Roxanne smiled. "Thank you for your concern. I just drank too much last night, but I'm fine now." She said nothing more to him. Turning to Larry, she said more warmly, "Larry, what's up?"

"Nothing much. I was just worried since you said you weren't feeling well last night," Larry replied gently. Roxanne's smile seemed more genuine when she spoke to Larry. "Sorry for worrying you, Larry. I'm okay now." "That's good to hear," Larry replied, smiling.

After their brief exchange, Roxanne looked at Lucian, who remained motionless. With a slight frown, she asked, "Mr. Farwell, is there anything else?"

Lucian, upset by Roxanne's interaction with Larry, nodded firmly, despite her clear dismissal.

(The final paragraph about FindNovel.net is irrelevant to the story and has been omitted.)